Engine vapor recycling device with improved action

ABSTRACT

A recycling valve includes a plurality of vertically movable balls disposed in an enlarged chamber. The construction is such that, under certain circumstances, the balls will chatter within the chamber to clean the chamber walls. A side inlet is positioned in the chamber wall so that under high manifold vacuum, the uppermost ball will be caused to rise; and so that the uppermost ball will be free of accumulated sludge in the lower chamber portion. The recycling valve includes a spray action to assist in cleaning some of the valve surfaces, with spray opening means which also functions as in air intake and a drain. Heating means are provided to substantially prevent sticking of the drain valve upon engine starting. In the embodiment shown, hot air is provided to the drain valve from a source separate from the crankcase. This hot air also serves to lean the fuel mixture upon engine starting. In addition, when a drain receptacle is connected to the device, a portion of the hot air is admitted into the receptacle in the event a vacuum occurs therein.

United States Patent [191 Miles I [451 Apr. 23, 1974 1 ENGINE VAPOR RECYCLING DEVICE WITH IMPROVED ACTION [75] Inventor: Cecil W. Miles, Green Bay, Wis.

[73] Assignee: Green Bay Research Corporation, Green Bay, Wis.

22 Filed: Sept. 25, 1972 21 App]. No.: 292,128

Primary Examiner-Laurence M. Goodridge Attorney, Agent, or FirmAndrus, Sceales, Starke & Sawall [57] ABSTRACT A recycling valve includes a plurality of vertically movable balls disposed in an enlarged chamber. The construction is such that, under certain circumstances, the balls will chatter within the chamber to clean the chamber'walls. A side inlet is positioned in the chamber wall so that under high manifold vacuum, the uppermost ball will be caused to rise; and so that the uppermost ball will be free of accumulated sludge in the lower chamber portion. The recycling valve includes a spray action to assist in cleaning some of the valve surfaces, with spray opening means which also functions as in air intake and a drain. Heating means are provided to substantially prevent sticking of the drain valve upon engine starting. In the embodiment shown, hot air is provided to the drain valve from a source separate from the crankcase. This hot air also serves to lean the fuel mixture upon engine starting. In addition, when a drain receptacle is connected to the device, a portion of the hot air is admitted into the receptacle in the event a vacuum occurs therein.

ENGINE VAPOR RECYCLING DEVICE WITH IMPROVED ACTION Prior Art of Interest 1. Thomasson 1,259,317 March 12, 1918 2. Fouse et al. 2,461,206 Feb. 8, 1949 3. Ritchie 3,259,117 July 5, 1966 4. Miles 3,542,002 Nov. 24, 1970 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a number of novel concepts which improve the effectiveness of the combined recycling and drain valve device.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the recycling valve includes a plurality of vertically movable balls disposed in an enlarged chamber. The construction is such that, under certain circumstances, the balls will chatter within the chamber to clean the chamber walls. A side inlet is positioned in the chamber wall so that under high manifold vacuum, the uppermost ball will be caused to rise; and so that the uppermost ball will be free of accumulated sludge in the lower chamber portion.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the recycling valve includes a spray action to assist in cleaning some of the valve surfaces, with spray opening means which also functions as an air intake and a drain.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, heating means are provided to substantially prevent sticking of the drain valve upon engine starting. In the embodiment shown, hot air is provided to the drain valve from a source separate from the crankcase. This hot air also serves to lean the fuel mixture upon engine starting. In addition, when a drain receptacle is connected to the device, a portion of the hot air is admitted into the receptacle in the event a vacuum occurs therein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. I is a schematic showing of an engine having the improved engine vapor device connected thereto;

FIG. 2 is a central vertical section of the recycling device shown in FIG. 1, and showing the position of the valves when the engine is off, and during low manifold vacuum;

FIG. 3 is a transverse section taken on line 33 of FIG. 2; I

FIG. 4 is a transverse section taken on line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 and showing the position of the parts during intermediate manifold vacuum; and

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2 and showing the position of the parts during high manifold vacuum.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As shown generally in FIG. 1 of the drawing, the invention is embodied in a gas treatment device 1 which is connected through a suitable passage or conduit 2 to a crankcase 3 of a conventional internal combustion engine 4. Similarly, device 1 is connected through a suitable passage or conduit 5 to the intake manifold 6 of engine 4. A carburetor 7 of any suitable design is mounted adjacent manifold 6.

Device 1 is adapted to receive polluted gases from crankcase 3 through conduit 2, treat them, and then discharge the treated gases through conduit 5 where they return to manifold 6. For this purpose, device 1 includes a cylindrical housing 8 having a drain receptacle, such as a bottle 9, threadably mounted at its lower end. Housing 8, is preferably molded from a suitable plastic material and serves to mount an upper recycling valve 10 and a lower drain valve 11, which are verti cally spaced to form a central chamber 12 within the housing. Chamber 12 is connected through a crankcase gas inlet port 13 to conduit 2.

Referring first to recycling valve 10, a cylindrical regulator sleeve 14 is mounted to an opening in the upper end of housing 8, as by a press fit, and extends downwardly within the housing to adjacent central chamber 12. Sleeve 14 separates the upper space within the housing into inner and outer chambers 15 and 16, re-

spectively. Sleeve 14 is preferably made of brass, and

serves to confine within chamber 15 a plurality of valve balls 17 and 18, for purposes to be described. In this embodiment, only two balls are shown, and they are preferably made of stainless steel or the like. The diameter of each ball is substantially less than the inner diameter of sleeve 14.

Chamber 15 includes opposed valve seat means for balls 17 and 18. For this purpose, the lower end of sleeve 14 is provided with a central gas inlet port 19 which communicates between chambers 12 and 15. The upper port end forms a shoulder which functions as a seat 20 for lower ball 17. The upper end of sleeve 14 receives, as by a press fit, an inner cylindrical sleeve 21 having a lower wall portion 22 of reduced diameter and having a seat 23 at its lower end for upper ball 18. Sleeve 21 connects through conduit 5 to intake manifold 6. A plurality of circumferentially spaced metering openings 24 disposed in wall portion 22 assure that at least some gases will pass to manifold 6, even when upper ball 18 is seated.

In accordance with the invention, supplemental gas inlet ports connect chambers 12 and 15, and are in series with each other, but in parallel with port 19. For this purpose, an annular ring 25 is disposed adjacent the lower end portion of sleeve 14 and sealin'gly extends between the sleeve and the inner housing wall. Ring 25 forms the floor of outer chamber 16 and is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced ports 26, for purposes to be described. A port 27 is disposed in the wall of sleeve 14 and above the floor of chamber 16, for purposes to be described, with the area of port 27 being substantially smaller than that of port 13.

The following description of operation of recycling valve 10 will be made with reference to manifold vacuum, which under normal circumstances with a vehicle engine is as follows:

a. Low vacuum: about -1 inches; occurs during acceleration b. Intermediate vacuum: about 15-17 inches; occurs during constant speed driving c. High vacuum: about 17-26 inches; occurs during start, idle and coasting Under conditions of low vacuum, and as shown in FIG. 2, lower ball 17 will remain seated with upper ball 18 resting thereon. Gases from crankcase 3 will enter chamber 12 via port 13 and will pass upwardly through ports 26. It has been found that a spray action is created so that the gases impinge on a substantial portion of the walls of chamber 16, thus removing impurities in the gases as well as cleaning the chamber walls themselves. As this occurs, the sludge within chamber 16 will drain downwardly by gravity and drain through ports 26 into chamber 12. The cleansed gases next pass through opening 27, through inner chamber 15 and hence to conduit 5 and intake manifold 6.

It is to be noted that ports 26 serve a three-fold function: (I) a gas connection from central chamber 12 to port 27, (2) spray cleaning means for outer chamber 16, and (3) a drain for sludge in chamber 16. These functions actually occur in varying intensities throughout all ranges of vacuum, and the drain action actually continueswhen the engine is off.

Various shapes of ports 26 may be utilized if desired, to change the characteristics of the spray and drain functions. Furthermore, the combined cross sectional area of all ports 26 should be less than that for port 13 to provide a suitable restriction. About a one-fourth reduction has been found suitable. In addition, the cross sectional area of port 27 must be less than that of inlet port 13 to also provide a suitable restriction.

Turning now to intermediate vacuum conditions, and as shown in FIG. 5, gases passing from port 13 through ports 26 and 27 will impinge on the lower portion of upper ball 18 and will cause it to rise to closely adjacent or at upper seat 23, where it will tend to loosely float. Due to the restriction formed at port 27, excess manifold vacuum within the inner chamber 15 will cause lower ball 17 to rise so that crankcase gases also pass through central port 19. With intermediate vacuum conditions, ball 17 will tend to float generally midway between the chamber ends. However, the substantial clearance between ball 17 and the chamber wall, together with the transverse thrust of gases entering side port 27, will cause ball 17 (and to a limited extent, ball 18) to chatter transversely back and forth against the chamber walls to thereby clean them. Port 19 will then also serve as a sludge drain, as long as lower ball 17 is unseated.

With high vacuum, and as shown in FIG. 6, the action is generally similar to intermediate vacuum, except that upper ball 18 firmly seats at the top and cannot chatter, and lower ball 17 tends to chatter more vigorously and at a slightly higher average position. With this condition, metering openings 24 provide the only communication with intake manifold 6.

When the engine is turned off, lower ball 17 will firmly drop onto seat 20. However, previously occurring chattering cleansing action of the walls of chamber 15 will cause a continuing gravity flow of remaining sludge down the chamber walls. With the bottom outlet (port 19) sealed off, this flow will create a pool 28 of sludge (See FIG. 2) which rises around ball 17. If the engine remains inoperative for a substantial length of time, such as overnight, pool 28 may cause ball 17 to freeze to its seat for a short time when the engine is next started, and until it warms up. Such temporary freezing of lower ball 17 is of little consequence, but it has been found that any freezing of ball 18 in its lower position will adversely affect engine starting and other high vacuum operations. The invention therefor contemplates means to prevent contact with ball 18 by the rising sludge pool 28. For this purpose, side ports 27 serves as an overflow, wherein the lowermost portion 29 of the ports periphery is no higher, and preferably lower, than the lowermost portion 30 of the surface of ball 18. As shown in FIG. 2, portion 29 is lower than portion 30, with the port centerline being in approximately the same horizontal plane as portion 30.

Turning next to drain valve 11, the valve functions generally similar to that disclosed in the aforementioned US. Pat. No. 3,542,002. In the embodiment shown, valve 11 generally comprises a spool-like member 31 sealingly mounted in the lower portion of housing 8 between central chamber 12 and bottle 9. Spool 31 comprises a vertical cylindrical wall 32 which joins upper and lower outwardly extending annular flanges 33 and 34 respectively. Spool 31 forms an outer circumferential space 35 and an inner space or sludge trap 36. The upper and lower ends of spool wall 32 form respective upper and lower seats 37 and 38. A vaned valve member 39 is loosely disposed in sludge trap 36, is slightly longer than spool 31, and is provided with respective upper and lower caps 40 and 41 which cooperate with their adjacent seats to alternately close or open the ends of sludge trap 36. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, valve member 39 is in the up position during intermediate and high manifold vacuum, so that the upper valve is open and the lower valve is closed; thus permitting sludge from central chamber 12 to drain down into the trap. As shown in FIG. 2, valve member 39 is in the down position during low manifold vacuum, which occurs during the short acceleration period, or when the engine is off, so that the upper valve is closed and the lower valve is open; thus permitting accumulated sludge in the trap to drain into bottle 9.

It has been found that when the engine is off for extended periods, such as overnight, drain valve 11 may tend to stick or freeze in its lowered position, due to sludge on the valves contacting surfaces. In accordance with the invention, means are provided to heat valve 11 so that the valve will function properly substantially immediately upon engine starting. For this purpose, and in the embodiment shown, heated air is passed into space 35 through an air inlet port 42 disposed in housing 8 and separate from chamber 12. This air originates at a source of relatively clean ambient air outside the engine crankcase. As shown in FIG. 2, fresh air is obtained through a supply tube 43 having an open end 44 and which is suitably coiled about the engines exhaust manifold 45, which heats the air as it passes through the tube.

The heated air is drawn from space 35 into sludge trap 36 through a small restricted opening 46 in spool wall 32; and will thus impinge on all of the major valve surfaces, including the area adjacent seat 37 and cap 40. Thus, when the engine is started, heat is supplied substantially instantaneously to the valve so that member 39 will be free to rise. When this occurs, the relatively clean air will pass upwardly into central chamber 12 and mix with the crankcase gases entering through port 13. This will lean the mixture which is recycled to the engine; i.e., it dilutes the richness of the blowby gases and thereby assists the carburetor so that an overly rich fuel mixture is not fed to the engine, particularly at the time of starting.

When the heating means comprises relatively clean non-crankcase hot air, as in the embodiment shown, a further advantage can be obtained. It has been found that cap 41 may not always seat completely on seat 38 when valve member 39 is in its up position, due to sludge accumulations on the valve surfaces. Manifold vacuum will then cause an undesirable slight vacuum condition in bottle 9, due to air leakage past the lower valve. The invention contemplates means to relieve the vacuum condition within the bottle. For this purpose, a plurality of circumferentially spaced vertical relief passages 47 are disposed in lower spool flange 34 and which provide communication between outer space 35 and the interior of bottle 9. When a vacuum occurs in bottle 9, hot air entering at port 42 will be drawn through passages 47 into the bottle.

When member 39 is in its down position, no air will be drawn through ports 42 and 46 or passages 47.

The invention provides an engine vapor recycling device which is believed to be a substantial improvement over prior devices.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.

I claim:

1. In an engine vapor recycling device for connection between the crankcase and intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, the combination comprising:

' a. a housing forming a first chamber communicating with a crankcase gas inlet port,

b. a regulator sleeve disposed for connection at its upper end with the said intake manifold, and with said sleeve extending downwardly into said housing,

c. said sleeve forming inner and outer chambers,

d. a pair of vertically positioned lower and upper valve balls disposed in said inner chamber,

e. opposed lower and upper valve seat means for said respective balls,

f. the construction providing vertical movement of said balls between said respective seats under various conditions of manifold vacuum,

g. and a side port disposed in the wall of said sleeve and providing communication of crankcase blowby gases between said first chamber and said inner chamber.

2. The device of claim 1:

a. wherein sludge from said crankcase gases drains down within said sleeve and forms a rising pool in the bottom of the said inner chamber when said lower ball is seated for an extended period, b. and wherein said side port provides overflow means for said pool of sludge. 3. The device of claim 2 wherein the lowermost portion of the periphery of said side port is no higher than the lowermost portion of the surface of said upper ball when the said balls are in their lowermost position so that said pool of sludge will overflow through said side port before said pool reaches said upper ball.

4. The device of claim 1:

a. wherein the diameters of said balls are less than the inner diameter of said sleeve to form a substantial clearance therebetween,

b. and wherein said side port provides means for creating a transverse thrust of crankcase gases into said inner chamber when said balls are in raised position so that at least one of said balls will chatter transversely across the clearance in said inner chamber to thereby clean the chamber walls.

5. The device of claim 1:

a. wherein sludge from said crankcase gases drains down within said sleeve and forms a rising pool in the bottom of the said inner chamber when said lower ball is seated for an extended period,

b. wherein said side port provides overflow means for said pool of sludge,

0. wherein the diameters of said balls are less than the inner diameter of said sleeve to form a substantial clearance therebetween,

d. and wherein said side port provides means for creating a transverse thrust of crankcase gases into said inner chamber when said balls are in raised position so that at least one of said balls will chatter transversely across the clearance in said inner chamber to thereby clean the chamber walls.

6. The device of claim 1 which includes means disposed between said first chamber and said side port to cause a generally vertical spray of crankcase gases within said outer chamber which impinges on the outer chamber walls so that impurities in the gases are removed therefrom and the walls are cleaned.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein said spray-causing means comprises:

a. a ring-like member extending between said sleeve and the inner housing wall, with said member forming the floor of said outer chamber,

b. said member having a plurality of circumferentially spaced spray ports therein which communicate between said first chamber and said side port,

c. said spray ports also providing means to drain impurities from said outer chamber into said first chamber.

8. Thedevice of claim 1 which includes:

a. drain valve means disposed below said first chamher and forming a sludge trap,

b. said drain valve means being responsive to manifold vacuum to move alternately between a first po- 1 sition for receiving sludge into said trap from said first chamber and a second position for subsequently draining the sludge from said trap.

9. The device of claim 8 which includes: means to prevent freezing of said drain valve means in its said second position when the engine has been off for an extended period and is then re-started.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein said freeze preventing means comprises: means to supply heated noncrankcase air from an ambient air source to said drain valve means.

11. The device of claim 10:

a. wherein the said engine includes an exhaust manifold,

b. and wherein said heated air supply means comprises:

1. an inlet port in said housing with said port being disposed adjacent said drain valve means and separate from said first chamber,

2. and an air tube connected at one end to said lastnamed port, with the other end of said tube being open to the ambient air,

3. said tube being adapted to be disposed adjacent said exhaust manifold to receive heat therefrom.

12. The device of claim 10 which includes: means to connect said heated air supply means with said first chamber when said drain valve means is in its said first position to dilute the blowby gases in said first cham ber.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein said connecting means includes a restrictive opening communicating between said heated air supply means and said sludge trap.

14. The device of claim 10:

a. which includes a receptacle mounted to said housing below said drain valve means for receiving sludge drained from said sludge trap when said drain valve means is in said second position,

b. and which includes means to connect said heated air supply means with the interior of said receptacle to relieve any vacuum formed therein due to incomplete seating of said drain valve means in its first position.

15. In the device of claim 1:

a. drain valve means disposed below said first chamber and forming a sludge trap,

b. said drain valve means being responsive to manifold vacuum to move alternately between a first position for receiving sludge into said trap fromsaid first chamber and a second position for subsequently. draining the sludge from said trap,

c. a receptacle mounted to said housing below said drain valve means for receiving sludge drained from said trap,

(1. means to supply heated non-crankcase air from an ambient air source to said drain valve means to prevent freezing of the latter in its second position when the eingine has been off for an extended period and is then re-started,

e. means to connect said heated air supply means with said first chamber when said drain valve means is in its first position to dilute the blowby gases in said first chamber,

f. and means to connect said heated air supply means with the interior of said receptacle to relieve any vacuum formed therein due to incomplete seating of said drain valve means in its first position.

16. ln an engine vapor recycling device for connection between the crankcase and intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, the combination comprising:

a. a housing forming a chamber communicating with a crankcase gas inlet port,

b. recycling valve means in said housing and in com munication with said chamber and disposed for connection to the said intake manifold,

c. said recycling valve means being constructed to separate sludge from crankcase blowby gases so that said sludge drains into said chamber,

d. drain valve means disposed below said chamber and forming a sludge trap,

e. said drain valve means being responsive to mani-,

fold vacuum to move alternately between a first position for receiving sludge into said trap from said chamber and a second position for subsequently draining the sludge from said trap,

f. means to prevent freezing of said drain valve means in its said second position when the engine has been off for an extended period and is then restarted, said freeze preventing means comprising means to supply heated non-crankcase air from an ambient air source to said drain valve means,

g. a receptacle mounted to said housing below said drain valve means for receiving sludge drained from said sludge trap when said drain valve means is in said second position,

h. and means to connect said heated air supply means with the interior of said receptacle to relieve any vacuum formed therein due to incomplete seating of said drain valve means in its first position.

17. In an engine vapor recycling device for connection between the crankcase and intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, the combination comprising:

a. a housing forming a chamber communicating with a crankcase gas inlet port,

b. recycling valve means in said housing and in communication with said chamber and disposed for connection to the said intake manifold,

c. said recycling valve means being constructed to separate sludge from crankcase blowby gases so that said sludge drains into said chamber,

(1. drain valve means disposed below said chamber and forming a sludge trap,

e. said drain valve means being responsive to manifold vacuum to move alternately between a dirt position for receiving sludge into said trap from said chamber and a second position for subsequently draining the sludge from said trap,

f. means to prevent freezing of said drain valve means in its said second position when the engine has been off for an extended period and is then restarted,

g. drain valve means disposed below said chamber and forming a sludge trap,

h. said drain valve means being responsive to manifold vacuum to move alternately between a first position for receiving sludge into said trap from said chamber and a second position for subsequently draining the sludge from said trap,

. a receptacle mounted to said housing below said drain valve means for receiving sludge drained from said trap,

j. means to supply heated non-crankcase air from an ambient air source to said drain valve means to prevent freezing of the latter in its second position when the engine has been off for an extended period and is then re-started,

k. means to connect said heated air supply means with said chamber when said drain valve means is in its first position to dilute the blowby gases in said chamber,

. and means to connect said heated air supply means with the interior of said receptacle to relieve any vacuum formed therein due to incomplete seating of said drain valve means in its first position. 

1. In an engine vapor recycling device for connection between the crankcase and intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, the combination comprising: a. a housing forming a first chamber communicating with a crankcase gas inlet port, b. a regulator sleeve disposed for connection at its upper end with the said intake manifold, and with said sleeve extending downwardly into said housing, c. said sleeve forming inner and outer chambers, d. a pair of vertically positioned lower and upper valve balls disposed in said inner chamber, e. opposed lower and upper valve seat means for said respective balls, f. the construction providing vertical movement of said balls between said respective seats under various conditions of manifold vacuum, g. and a side port disposed in the wall of said sleeve and providing communication of crankcase blowby gases between said first chamber and said inner chamber.
 2. The device of claim 1: a. wherein sludge from said crankcase gases drains down within said sleeve and forms a rising pool in the bottom of the said inner chamber when said lower ball is seated for an extended period, b. and wherein said side port provides overflow means for said pool of sludge.
 2. and an air tube connected at one end to said last-named port, with the other end of said tube being open to the ambient air,
 3. said tube being adapted to be disposed adjacent said exhaust manifold to receive heat therefrom.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein the lowermost portion of the periphery of said side port is no higher than the lowermost portion of the surface of said upper ball when the said balls are in their lowermost position so that said pool of sludge will overflow through said side port before said pool reaches said upper ball.
 4. The device of claim 1: a. wherein the diameters of said balls are less than the inner diameter of said sleeve to form a substantial clearance therebetween, b. and wherein said side port provides means for creating a transverse thrust of crankcase gases into said inner chamber when said balls are in raised position so that at least one of said balls will chatter transversely across the clearance in said inner chamber to thereby clean the chamber walls.
 5. The device of claim 1: a. wherein sludge from said crankcase gases drains down within said sleeve and forms a rising pool in the bottom of the said inner chamber when said lower ball is seated for an extended period, b. wherein said side port provides overflow means for said pool of sludge, c. wherein the diameters of said balls are less than the inner diameter of said sleeve to form a substantial clearance therebetween, d. and wherein said side port provides means for creating a transverse thrust of crankcase gases into said inner chamber when said balls are in raised position so that at least one of said balls will chatter transversely across the clearance in said inner chamber to thereby clean the chamber walls.
 6. The device of claim 1 which includes means disposed between said first chamber and said side port to cause a generally vertical spray of crankcase gases within said outer chamber which impinges on the outer chamber walls so that impurities in the gases are removed therefrom and the walls are cleaned.
 7. The device of claim 6 wherein said spray-causing means comprises: a. a ring-like member extending between said sleeve and the inner housing wall, with said Member forming the floor of said outer chamber, b. said member having a plurality of circumferentially spaced spray ports therein which communicate between said first chamber and said side port, c. said spray ports also providing means to drain impurities from said outer chamber into said first chamber.
 8. The device of claim 1 which includes: a. drain valve means disposed below said first chamber and forming a sludge trap, b. said drain valve means being responsive to manifold vacuum to move alternately between a first position for receiving sludge into said trap from said first chamber and a second position for subsequently draining the sludge from said trap.
 9. The device of claim 8 which includes: means to prevent freezing of said drain valve means in its said second position when the engine has been off for an extended period and is then re-started.
 10. The device of claim 9 wherein said freeze preventing means comprises: means to supply heated non-crankcase air from an ambient air source to said drain valve means.
 11. The device of claim 10: a. wherein the said engine includes an exhaust manifold, b. and wherein said heated air supply means comprises:
 12. The device of claim 10 which includes: means to connect said heated air supply means with said first chamber when said drain valve means is in its said first position to dilute the blowby gases in said first chamber.
 13. The device of claim 12 wherein said connecting means includes a restrictive opening communicating between said heated air supply means and said sludge trap.
 14. The device of claim 10: a. which includes a receptacle mounted to said housing below said drain valve means for receiving sludge drained from said sludge trap when said drain valve means is in said second position, b. and which includes means to connect said heated air supply means with the interior of said receptacle to relieve any vacuum formed therein due to incomplete seating of said drain valve means in its first position.
 15. In the device of claim 1: a. drain valve means disposed below said first chamber and forming a sludge trap, b. said drain valve means being responsive to manifold vacuum to move alternately between a first position for receiving sludge into said trap from said first chamber and a second position for subsequently draining the sludge from said trap, c. a receptacle mounted to said housing below said drain valve means for receiving sludge drained from said trap, d. means to supply heated non-crankcase air from an ambient air source to said drain valve means to prevent freezing of the latter in its second position when the eingine has been off for an extended period and is then re-started, e. means to connect said heated air supply means with said first chamber when said drain valve means is in its first position to dilute the blowby gases in said first chamber, f. and means to connect said heated air supply means with the interior of said receptacle to relieve any vacuum formed therein due to incomplete seating of said drain valve means in its first position.
 16. In an engine vapor recycling device for connection between the crankcase and intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, the combination comprising: a. a housing forming a chamber communicating with a crankcase gas inlet port, b. recycling valve means in said housing and in communication with said chamber and disposed for connection to the said intake manifold, c. said recycling valve means being constructed to separate sludge from crankcase blowby gases so That said sludge drains into said chamber, d. drain valve means disposed below said chamber and forming a sludge trap, e. said drain valve means being responsive to manifold vacuum to move alternately between a first position for receiving sludge into said trap from said chamber and a second position for subsequently draining the sludge from said trap, f. means to prevent freezing of said drain valve means in its said second position when the engine has been off for an extended period and is then re-started, said freeze preventing means comprising means to supply heated non-crankcase air from an ambient air source to said drain valve means, g. a receptacle mounted to said housing below said drain valve means for receiving sludge drained from said sludge trap when said drain valve means is in said second position, h. and means to connect said heated air supply means with the interior of said receptacle to relieve any vacuum formed therein due to incomplete seating of said drain valve means in its first position.
 17. In an engine vapor recycling device for connection between the crankcase and intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, the combination comprising: a. a housing forming a chamber communicating with a crankcase gas inlet port, b. recycling valve means in said housing and in communication with said chamber and disposed for connection to the said intake manifold, c. said recycling valve means being constructed to separate sludge from crankcase blowby gases so that said sludge drains into said chamber, d. drain valve means disposed below said chamber and forming a sludge trap, e. said drain valve means being responsive to manifold vacuum to move alternately between a dirt position for receiving sludge into said trap from said chamber and a second position for subsequently draining the sludge from said trap, f. means to prevent freezing of said drain valve means in its said second position when the engine has been off for an extended period and is then re-started, g. drain valve means disposed below said chamber and forming a sludge trap, h. said drain valve means being responsive to manifold vacuum to move alternately between a first position for receiving sludge into said trap from said chamber and a second position for subsequently draining the sludge from said trap, i. a receptacle mounted to said housing below said drain valve means for receiving sludge drained from said trap, j. means to supply heated non-crankcase air from an ambient air source to said drain valve means to prevent freezing of the latter in its second position when the engine has been off for an extended period and is then re-started, k. means to connect said heated air supply means with said chamber when said drain valve means is in its first position to dilute the blowby gases in said chamber, l. and means to connect said heated air supply means with the interior of said receptacle to relieve any vacuum formed therein due to incomplete seating of said drain valve means in its first position. 